How Marca overcame its challenges to remain the voice of football in Spain

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Updated 12 March 2023
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How Marca overcame its challenges to remain the voice of football in Spain

  • The iconic publication’s Editor-in-Chief Jose Felix Dias speaks exclusively to Arab News about his life in journalism, the 2022 World Cup, Saudi football and the ambitions of Arab footballers

Few sporting publications command the respect that Spain’s Marca has consistently had since its launch in 1938.

Jose Felix Diaz, its current editor-in-chief, began his journey at Marca in 1992 while still at university, his first beat being that of covering Spain’s third division.

Since then, he has risen through the ranks, covering La Liga, FIFA World Cups, the UEFA Champions League and other competitions, to become the holder of the newspaper’s top editorial position.

A love affair with the iconic publication saw him stay there until 2009, when he made the move to El Confidencial. However, by 2014 he was back at Marca, the place where he feels most at home.

He spoke exclusively to Arab News about his journey in journalism and life in football.

Journalism has changed drastically in recent years, how is Marca doing during these times?

The newspaper as a “paper” was wounded, and the pandemic increased the depth of this wound. In Spain, newspapers were waiting for one to get going again, because it would pave the way for others to fight too, and Marca was one of the first to continue fighting and continues to do so.

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Reading newspapers is not the same as browsing the internet. The newspaper makes you feel as if you are the one who wrote it, or as if you were with the people who wrote it and experienced it. Therefore, the difference between reading newspapers and reading on the internet is huge.

Apart from the pandemic, what were some of the biggest challenges that Marca faced?

Marca had an unsuccessful experience in TV because of the high expenses required, such as getting the (broadcasting) license, accreditation, and organizing a team.

As for documentaries, Marca has a partnership with Amazon. There are different documentaries and reportages made by many journalists at Marca in almost all of Spain, and others around the world. Moreover, Marca is always trying to provide different choices, and not limit its content to news, in order to provide the viewers with other options and help them to watch and experience different things.

Marca is a globally known and very popular brand, are there plans to set up other language editions, maybe even Arabic?

It is not easy to move Marca to Saudi Arabia, although the Kingdom is currently considered a large and open market. However, we are thinking about taking this step later in the future and involving people to work with Marca in Arabic, taking into consideration all the developments and changes happening in Saudi.

The relationship in terms of sports between Spain and Saudi Arabia is a close and solid one. We have seen this recently between the Spanish and Saudi football federations, as well as partnerships in other sports too. Also, the positive thing that caught my attention is that the Kingdom began to open up to sports, which introduces Saudi Arabia to the world. People now are beginning to know about Saudi Arabia, its traditions, and its people. I also like the great change and work that Saudi politicians and leaders are doing these days.

Are there major cultural differences that would stop a European brand succeeding here?

I think the problem might be that Europeans believe that, for example, if they come to Saudi Arabia, life will be the same as they are used to in their countries. But they must respect the rules and adapt to life in Saudi Arabia, just as how the Saudis must adapt to the life in every other country they visit. Each country has its own laws and traditions that we must respect.

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As for me, I noticed during my visit to the Kingdom that many things have changed, whether socially, in sports, developments in facilities, or even regarding what the Europeans always talk about, which is the issue of women, who can now drive and be in high and important positions. I also think that Europeans should visit the Kingdom, especially since visa matters have also been improved.

I believe that people should not judge the Kingdom without visiting it. Visiting the country will give them the chance to notice that people here are hospitable, kind, and love sports. I also want to praise the leaders who participated in giving a beautiful image of Saudi Arabia to the world, especially since sports has now become an important reason that reflects a positive image of the country and its people.

What where your views on the 2022 FIFA World Cup in Qatar?

I have attended five editions of the World Cup, and this one was the best and most organized one yet. The thing that made it even better is that the stadiums are close to each other. Before, I used to attend some matches of the Spain national team, but this time, I had time to attend other teams’ matches. I believe that Qatar did a great job in organizing the World Cup.




Editor-in-Chief Jose Felix Dias (R) with Arab News reporter Khaled Alarafah during his visit to the Founding Day activities held at the SRMG headquarters in Riyadh. AN photo by Huda Bashatah

What do you think of Cristiano Ronaldo’s move to Al-Nassr?

Because of Ronaldo’s contract with a Saudi team, there were banners all around Madrid with Ronaldo on them, which is attracting people to visit Saudi Arabia.

In the last two or three months, the whole world has been talking about Saudi Arabia and the (Roshn) Saudi League. I think (Ronaldo) is a great addition to the Saudi League, and I thank the leaders in the country for giving the green light and support for the clubs to bring any player to the team.

I believe that this step benefits Saudi football, and the country as a well, which is considered a tourist destination with a rich history, originality and traditions. In addition, I think that Ronaldo’s step in coming to the Kingdom opens the door for other players to come to the Saudi League. All this helps Saudi Arabia to take a big place in the sports industry, which is important in attracting fans.

Europe is beginning to discover the Arab world through sports. There are many Spanish players in the Saudi League, such as Alvaro Gonzalez at Al-Nassr, Cristian Tello at Al-Fateh, and Alvaro Medran at Al-Taawoun. Medran is the youngest, and I think that this is not his last stop.

Therefore, the arrival of Ronaldo will be a reason for many other players to play in Saudi Arabia, and according to my information, the next players coming to the Kingdom might be Sergio Ramos, Angel Di Maria and Marcelo.

Saudi football has became a destination for great players, not only players at the end of their career, but young players too. I also don’t think that it is impossible to see Messi in Saudi Arabia, and the beginning of another rivalry with Ronaldo.

Morocco, and to a lesser extent Saudi Arabia and Tunisia, impressed at the World Cup. What is your opinion of Arab footballers? And should more be playing abroad?

The mentality of the Arab players must change, not just the Saudi players.

For example, the mentality of Arab players is not as ambitious as non-Arab players because of their comfortable living conditions and high salaries, which might lead them not to play abroad, and this is what the European players who played in the Arab world and Gulf countries noticed.

Apart from this, Saudi Arabia did well in winning against Argentina when no one expected that, but for the Arab teams to catch up with the European and Latin teams, this requires time, hard work, and a change of the Arab players’ mentality to play with no limits on their ambition, which is the reason that great players and teams have succeeded in the past.


Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi team up to launch a soccer club in Uruguay

Updated 27 May 2025
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Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi team up to launch a soccer club in Uruguay

  • Suarez announced on Tuesday he has founded a professional soccer team in his native Uruguay
  • The team formerly known as Deportivo LS will now be called LSM

MONTEVIDEO: Luis Suarez and Lionel Messi have been partners on the pitch for several years. Now they’re teaming up off it as businessmen.

Suarez announced on Tuesday he has founded a professional soccer team in his native Uruguay, and he is bringing his Inter Miami teammate along on the project.

Suarez, the all-time scoring leader of Uruguay’s national team, explained in a video posted on his social media accounts that the team formerly known as Deportivo LS will now be called LSM and will start playing professional soccer in the Uruguay’s fourth division.

“Deportivo LS are a family dream that began in 2018. We have grown a lot with more than 3,000 members,” Suarez said. “I want to offer Uruguayan soccer, the place I love and where I grew up as a child, opportunities and tools for teenagers and children to grow.”

The 38-year-old Suarez retired from international soccer last September, played with Messi at Barcelona for six seasons, and they’ve been teammates the past two years with Inter Miami.

“I’m proud and happy that you chose me, so I hope to contribute everything I can to continue growing and, above all, to be by your side in this,” said Messi, who was sitting alongside Suarez in the video.

It’s still unclear what Messi’s role will be in the project, although local media reported that he will be a partner. It was also reported that Álvaro Recoba, a former player for the Uruguay national team and Inter Milan, will be the team’s coach.

The announcement also launched the club’s Instagram account, which had over 40,000 followers two hours after its creation.

Suárez and his family opened an 20-acre sports complex in 2018 in Ciudad de la Costa on the outskirts of Montevideo. It has numerous activities for more than 3,000 members.

The club have a synthetic turf stadium with a capacity for 1,400 spectators, among other fields.


Chelsea’s Maresca says Conference League ‘best competition in the world’

Updated 27 May 2025
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Chelsea’s Maresca says Conference League ‘best competition in the world’

  • “Probably the most complicated thing this season about the Conference (League) has been to convince the players that for us it was the best competition in the world,” Maresca said
  • “And the reason why was because it was the competition that we were in“

WROCLAW, Poland: Enzo Maresca said he had to convince his Chelsea players this season that the UEFA Conference League was the “best competition in the world” as he prepares his men to face Real Betis in Wednesday’s final.

The Premier League club are seeking to end their campaign with a flourish in Wroclaw after securing a Champions League spot for next season.

If they beat Betis in Poland, Chelsea would become the first club to win all four major UEFA tournaments, having previously won the Champions League, Europa League and the now-defunct Cup Winners’ Cup.

Maresca, in his first season as manager at Stamford Bridge, said had been forced to stress the importance of Europe’s third-tier club competition to his players.

“Probably the most complicated thing this season about the Conference (League) has been to convince the players that for us it was the best competition in the world,” he told reporters on Tuesday.

“And the reason why was because it was the competition that we were in.”

Chelsea are two-time European champions but have not won silverware since lifting the Champions League in 2021.

“We cannot play Champions League if we are at the Conference (League), or we cannot play Europa (League). We are in the Conference, so for us it was the most important competition, and we need to try to win that.

“If we are able to win, I think it’s a good thing, especially because we continue to build a winning mentality.”

Chelsea have reached the final in eye-catching style, scoring a competition-record 38 goals so far and winning 11 of their 12 matches.

Maresca rounded on his critics after his youthful side secured fourth spot in the Premier League on Sunday with a 1-0 win at the City Ground, even using an expletive.

His team were within touching distance of eventual Premier League champions Liverpool in mid-December before stumbling badly, but results picked up again toward the end of the campaign.

On Tuesday he described Sunday’s eruption as an “outburst” in the heat of the moment.

“From our point of view, they (critics) were not talking in the right way,” he said.

“And the reason why is because, yes, we are young, yes, we are the youngest squad in the history of the Premier League, but at the same time, they are men.

“So I also used what critics had said to say, ‘Guys, today (Sunday) is a chance that we can say that we are not young, we are mature enough, we can compete and we can do the right things’.”

The former Leicester boss said sealing a Champions League place for next season had been a huge relief.

“We feel much better,” he said. “I said a few times during the season that for me it was already a good season for different reasons.

“It can become a very good season if we finish top four, top five and if we are able to win the final tomorrow.

“The first target is there. We achieved that last Sunday and hopefully we can achieve tomorrow the second one.”


Stiller out, Burkardt in for Germany’s Nations League games

Updated 27 May 2025
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Stiller out, Burkardt in for Germany’s Nations League games

  • Burkardt will join the team at their training base in Herzogenaurach on Friday
  • The 24-year-old Burkardt has played three games for Germany

BERLIN: Germany coach Julian Nagelsmann has called up Mainz forward Jonathan Burkardt to his squad for upcoming Nations League games after Stuttgart’s Angelo Stiller dropped out with an injury.

Burkardt will join the team at their training base in Herzogenaurach on Friday, the German soccer federation said Tuesday, in preparation for the Nations League semifinal against Portugal in Munich on Wednesday, and the final or third-place playoff against either Spain or France four days later.

The 24-year-old Burkardt has played three games for Germany. He was the Bundesliga’s top-scoring German player with 18 goals for Mainz this season.

Stiller, who starred for Stuttgart as the team won the German Cup on Saturday, dropped out with a recurrence of the ankle ligament injury that had kept him out for two weeks previously.

The DFB said Stiller has “not completely healed.”

Stiller was involved in three of Stuttgart’s four goals as they defeated Arminia Bielefeld 4-2 in the cup final.


Newcastle losing another sporting director as Mitchell to step down

Updated 27 May 2025
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Newcastle losing another sporting director as Mitchell to step down

  • Mitchell was leaving “due to health reasons” and his departure was “by mutual consent,” NUFC said
  • “The club are in great hands on and off the pitch,” Mitchell said

NEWCASTLE: Newcastle are losing another sporting director after the Premier League club announced Paul Mitchell is stepping down next month.

Mitchell took the position only last July following the departure of Newcastle’s previous sporting director, Dan Ashworth, to Manchester United.

Mitchell was leaving “due to health reasons” and his departure was “by mutual consent,” Saudi-backed Newcastle said on Tuesday.

There were reports of tension between Mitchell and Newcastle manager Eddie Howe at the start of this season.

Newcastle won the English League Cup in March for their first major domestic trophy in 70 years, and finished in fifth place in the Premier League to qualify for next season’s Champions League.

“The club are in great hands on and off the pitch,” Mitchell said, “and are in a fantastic position to continue building.

“I’d like to wish everyone connected with Newcastle United a bright and successful future.”

Mitchell previously worked for Tottenham, Leipzig and Monaco.


Coach Michel Gonzalez readies Al-Qadsiah for King Cup final

Updated 27 May 2025
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Coach Michel Gonzalez readies Al-Qadsiah for King Cup final

  • Spaniard holds light training session after resting key players for league game against Al-Hilal
  • Al-Qadsiah will play Al-Ittihad in Friday’s showdown in Jeddah

JEDDAH: Spanish coach Michel Gonzalez put his Al-Qadsiah team through a light training session on Tuesday as they prepare for Friday’s King Cup final showdown against Al-Ittihad.
Al-Qadsiah qualified for the final after beating Al-Raed 1–0 in the semifinal. Al-Ittihad beat Al-Shabab 3–2 to secure their spot.
Gonzalez left several of his first team players out of Monday’s Saudi Roshn League away clash with Al-Hilal at the Kingdom Arena, which they lost 2-0.
Goalkeeper Koen Casteels, defenders Nacho, Ibrahim Mahnashi, Turki Al-Ammar, midfielder Nahitan Nandez and striker Julian Quinones were all rested ahead of final, which will be played at Al-Inma Stadium in King Abdullah Sports City.
Al-Qadsiah will fly to Jeddah on Thursday and have their final training session at the stadium ahead of the match.